I could not be more excited for this free pajama pants pattern! Or do you say pyjama pants pattern? {haha} This free pdf sewing pattern is one that the WHOLE FAMILY can use! {we did} This pajama pants sewing pattern is in sizes 2t – Adult XL and the adult XL is not just a womens xl.. {it fits hip 50″}
The pajama pants pattern is unisex in design so loose fitting and a very easy sew! We are all very excited about our new pj pants around here. I finished them up right before it got freezing here, so they have been getting a lot of wear.
Pajama Pants Pattern –
It’s not very often you see my whole crew around here… but here we are! Enjoying our pj pants. I got all this flannel last Black Friday at Joann… {$0.49 a yard!!!} I stocked up and have been using it for many projects…
I’ll be out of the country this year on Black Friday, so good thing I bought a lot last year.
These three!! Seriously… I love them so much, but it is SO hard to get a decent photo.. There was a lot of laughing, and then a lot of flopping back onto the bed…
We just embraced the laying down look! Even this was tricky as the boys kept popping their heads up..
Ok! Enough photos of us, let’s get on with making YOU some fun new Pajamas!
How to make pajama pants –
Go print the free pattern by clicking the image below..
Decide your sizing… the chart is on the pattern and also here… because this is a unisex pattern the sizing is quite different than my other size charts… please just go by the hip measurement and not by age for the kids… my three kids are thin and tall so they are in a xxs, two in S… Just adjust the leg length to fit…
Printing options
You do not have to print all the pages if just making the kids pajama pants sewing pattern…
For kids sizes print Pages 2-5, 8-11, 14-17, 20-23 for all kids and add26-28/29 only for sizes M and L Kids}
For adult sizes print all pages
If making kids and adult sizes print all pages once, then trace on tissue paper for each size
Trim the pages and assemble.. it should look like this… If you’ve only printed some pages you will just be putting the middle part together. Trace the size/s you need. Measure inseam and adjust the leg length as needed.
Fabric needs…{45″ wide flannel or other soft woven}
Kids: XXS and XS = 1 yard, S, M and L = 2.5
Adults: XS, S, M = 2 5/8 yard, L and XL = 2 3/4 yard
{If you are working with what you already have I’ll give tips for making it with less fabric below… using cuffs and a waistband you can reduce the fabric used. }
Elastic – I used 1″ wide for the kids and 1.5″ wide. for the adults. You really can use either if you have on hand.
How to sew pajama pants-
All seams are 3/8″ {1 cm} seam allowance unless otherwise noted.
Trace the pattern and cut out 2 pieces in mirror for the size required. Fold each leg in half with right sides together and sew.
Turn one leg right side out and place one inside the other. Match up the front and back center crotch seams. Sew.
If you have a serger, finish the top of the pants and each leg. If you don’t have a serger press over 1/4″ of the fabric to prepare for next step.
Fold 1″ under and hem each leg. {shorten the legs before you hem}
Fold over the waistband. If using 1″ elastic fold over 1.5″. If you pressed under the 1/4″ to prep make sure that is still turned under so you have a finished raw edge.
Sew around the waistband leaving a 2″ opening to thread the elastic.
NOTE: if you want to add pockets, scroll to the bottom for instructions and do so now before you thread the elastic.
Measure your waist and cut elastic 1″ smaller than measurement. Thread the elastic through the casing.
Overlap ends by 1/2″ and stitch. Pull the elastic back inside the casing and sew the opening closed.
Evenly distribute the gathers. Mark the center back and two side. Sew up and down on the elastic to secure in place. This will prevent twisting.
now… let’s say you want to make an adult size and you only have 2 yards of flannel.. this was me.. trying to use up my flannel stash and make my husband the side M adult pajama pants pattern. I was able to make it work with using up scraps from my sons pants and adding cuffs and a waistband to the adult size. Here’s how it will look.
I shortened the top of my pattern by 3″ and made the waistband 3.5″ tall to replace it. You can cut one long piece or two the same width as the top of the pants. The cuff height will depend on how short of fabric you are {haha}. If you are short 3″ on the bottom of the pattern you will cut the cuffs 2x that.. so my pattern was short 3″, so my cuffs are 6″ {plus seam allowance} tall and as wide as the bottom of the pants leg. Cut 2 cuffs.
Fold the cuff in half and match the raw edges with the pants bottom.
Sew and fold open. Top-stitch if you want.
Sew the sides of the waistband together if you cut 2, or just sew the ends together if you cut one long piece.
Fold the waistband in half and match raw edges with top of pants. Sew waistband to pants leaving a 2″ opening to thread elastic.
If you are adding pockets do so now with the instructions below. The thread elastic.
Measure, thread and sew the elastic as described above.
Want to add pockets? Add before you thread the elastic. You can add to any size like this… Trace your hand {or the hand of the pants owner} onto a piece of paper. Draw an oval around the hand and add the wingy part that ends in a straight line.. this is where you will sew to the pants. Cut 4 {two pairs}.
Sew the curved edge of the pocket. Lay the pants flat so the center seams are in the middle and the sides are a flat fold. On your pants measure down 2.5″ from the top and line up the pocket with the side. Cut open the side of the pants from top to bottom of pocket. 
Turn the pocket right side out and flip your pants to the inside. Place the pocket in the hole with the right side of the pocket touching the right side of the pants. {this is from the inside of the pants view} Pin in place. Sew.
This is what it looks like from the right side of the pants. Push the pock into the pants. 
Top stitch from top to bottom on front and back of the pants. 
Here are some other fun Pajama related projects..
Loads of pj projects for upcycling and free patterns
Using T-Shirts for Pjs
My favorite pattern for knit fabric
My favorite PJ pattern
Jessica says
I can only find 42″ flannel fabric. Does it need to be 45″?
Hillary says
I am wondering the same. I can only find 42”. Were you ever able to determine if it could be done with 42”?
Emily says
42″ fabric is the width.. and this works fine for all sizes… you buy enough yardage fro the length. That’s why the bigger sizes need more yards.
Jessica says
I just got the fabric today. It’s 42″ so i hope it works. I’ll be trying later this week.
Jo Lynn Worden says
I cut out a size xxsmall, size 2/3. When I tried to sew the pant legs together as the instructions say, it is longer on one side than the other, about 1.5 inches longer? How can this be? What am I doing wrong?
Emily says
Hi! I just took a look at the pattern pieces.. I actually measured each side of the leg.. I get about a .2 difference but nothing like you are talking about. I’m sorry you are having this trouble! Can can just even up on the bottom of the leg. Can you measure the pattern and see if it is also off? thanks!
Jo Lynn Worden says
I just remeasured the pant legs, sorry, about .75 to 1 inch difference. Yes, I measured the pattern pieces, inseam to inseamwith same result. I did re-lay the pattern I traced back on the master pattern to make sure I traced it correctly (I did).
I didn’t see anywhere the little one inch square that helps you make sure it is to scale, but I only printed the pages you suggested for just Children’s sizes. Anyway, even that shouldn’t make the inseams wonky. I can just sew from top of inseam down and then just straighten the leg bottom as you suggested.
I just wondered if I was missing something. I really did very carefully piece and trace the pattern for accuracy. I went ahead and measured out the other sizes inseams and having the same result of about .75 inch discrepancy.
To fix it for the future, how should I alter the pattern…just extra length or some adjustment in through the Crotch seam? Thanks very much for speedy reply, my project was on hold.
jen says
Ok, so actually sewing this pattern is incredibly easy. The part I am having the most trouble with is getting this pattern to print, what I can see in the PDF on my computer. Can anyone help me get the whole page to print, in the correct format? I have tried every common setting on my PDF printer, and they all give me the 1 inch square, but leave a lot of the lining up triangle tabs off, and some of the lines are getting lost also, which is making it incredibly difficult to make this in multiple sizes. Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Jaimie Ally says
In case this helps anyone, it seems like the printing directions for childrens’ sizes are off, because the blank pages without numbers are still counted as pages in the pdf file. I copied and pasted the “pages to print” and now I’m missing a ton of pages I need on the right side of the pattern and printed one blank page 🙁 The correct copy-and-paste pages to print from the pdf file for children are 2-5, 8-11, 14-17, 20-23 for all kids and 26-28/29 for the larger kids sizes.
Sharon says
Is the seam allowance included on this pattern or does it need to be added
Emily says
Its included
bev-morris says
Thanks for the great pattern! It’s been cut out and sitting on my sewing desk for awhile, but it came together so easily! For some insane reason, I made myself Adult Large. I’m a women’s size 10, so I don’t even know what I was thinking! But they’re big and floppy and comfy, and I love them. I’ll just make a smaller size next time. This may become a staple in my pj collection!
Hanke says
Thanks for this pattern! I just made two of these for myself and love them
Carly Fernandez says
Hello. What size paper should I print the pattern on? Should it be A4 or letter size? Thanks
Emily says
it is made for letter. You can do either, it will just have more white space.
Melanie Yee says
I just printed the pattern, all is well. I’m wondering if there’s a reason for not doing the legs on a fold?
Emily says
Hi! The back is higher than the front and the rise under the crotch is also different.. this is why it’s not done on the fold. If you are short on fabric you can cut the pattern in half and add a side seam to help with fabric use… cut two fronts and two backs…
merritt says
there’s no link to the actual pattern. every link is to a pdf reader and those are EVERYWHERE! if there is a link to the pattern it’s impossible to tell which it is.
MERRITT TILSON says
I found the pdf file. How do we determine the correct size? There’s ease so I can’t measure to figure it out. help. ???
MERRITT TILSON says
nvm. i found it. sorry!
Karen says
My planned Christmas sewing is finished …… 5 pair of PJ pants, 3 Raglan shirts (which will be the pj tops). The fabric for 4 pair is flanelette, the tops have the front in flannelette and the arms and back in a very stretchy knit. The other pair of PJ pants is a cotton fabric — my son is a “furnace” and can’t stand flannelette 🙂 If all goes well, I should be able to complete 2 more Raglan sleeve shirts and a housecoat for my granddaughter tonig. Oh, yeah, I also made a jewelry travel bag — not for jewlery but for my son’s sets of dice for D & D! I had small scraps of the material for it. I’m not happy with the outcome and will likely make another with a different fabric in the New Year. I just wanted to try this for size first. I will take a photo of my “production” and then attempt to share it 🙂 I can handle a sewing machine, however my smartphone is another matter! All patterns (except for the “jewlry bag” are Emily’s free pdf patterns. I have no idea where I saw the idea of the jewlry bag and I constructed it from memory 😀
I wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and best wishes for a healthy and happy 2020.
Kelli says
Do you think this pattern would work with knit? And if so would there be any adjustments? I have a 15 hour plane ride next week and want to make some comfy lounge pants for the trip 😍
Lena Arvidson says
Thank you for this lovely pattern and the clear description of how to make it! Just finished one pair of pants… we’ll see how the recipient of them likes them! I’m about to make more. 🙂
Farida says
wherecan i get printting pattern draft of Pajama all 26?please share link with me Thanks
Karen says
The pj pattern would work with knit fabric, however you would have to cut it a size smaller. Be careful about how stretchy the knit is though, because the pattern is developed for woven fabric, it will likely get quite “droopy” after wearing it for a short time. If you really want to use a knit fabric I think I would use a legging pattern rather then the pj pattern. This pattern is so comfortable that any woven fabric is very appropriate. If you want to be warm, consider something like a cotton that is brushed on the inside and would be very cozy and comfortable.
Angie Lefler says
Emily, I am so happy to have found your blog! I teach sewing in high school; it’s the first time in 15 years since the previous Family & Consumer Sciences teacher did not want to teach it, and it took me a few years to purchase enough machines on my meager budget. I happened upon it by accident one day while looking for a free pattern for my beginners to use. We’ve made scrunchies, pillows, tote bags, and aprons: now we’re working on the pajama bottoms. Some students have elected to make pj shorts, so I’ve shown them how to adjust the pattern, accordingly. I look forward to using more of your patterns. Do you, by chance, have any free sundress patterns? I think that’s where we’re going to go, next.
Angie Lefler says
I would love to show you my kiddo’s finished pajamas! Where is the best place to send pics? And so happy you have a tank dress pattern: I’ll have to look for it.